Community responds to kids' programs

Once again the community stepped forward to brighten Christmas for 329 children in 147 Pratt County families.

"The community was fabulous," said Tiffany Ailstock, RSVP director and coordinator of the Angel Tree program. "We received a lot of monetary donations that allowed us to shop for the 27 Angels not turned back in."

On Wednesday, wrapped gifts of clothing were ready for pick-up by families who had registered before Thanksgiving. On other tables, plastic bags of toys —everyday versions of Santa's pack — were waiting for parents to put out where their little ones would find them Christmas morning.

A couple of bonuses were provided in the program this year. Vada Reiser, Mary Shumway and Charlotte Graham knitted a variety of colorful caps in all sizes that were free to anyone who wanted them.

The Pratt Walmart store donated 30 bicycles that were defective in some way to Pass It Forward charity. Volunteers put them in running order and made them available at the toy distribution site.